2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Raiders are desperate for a quarterback, so they did whatever it took to obtain one. This included sitting their best player after he expressed a desire to beat his opponent.

Geno Smith was terrible last year, which may have surprised ESPN’s atrocious hires, one of whom said that Smith was a top-10 NFL quarterback when he was traded to Las Vegas. Smith was one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL, so the Raiders will be drafting a new franchise signal-caller.

Fernando Mendoza has great size, arm strength, and accuracy. He was seen as raw entering the 2025 season, but he had a tremendous year. He will be the No. 1 pick in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft unless he gets abducted by aliens.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. None – Sorry, Dan Orlovsky, Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick unless the aliens come through for you and CAA.

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Arvell Reese was the favorite to go to the Jets for a while, but I saw it as 51-49 since the combine. Reese had the better combine performance, but David Bailey also performed on a high level. I switched to Bailey after that after hearing some reports, but now I’m going back to Reese because of the canceled top-30 visit. What strikes me as significant is that this new Jets regime hasn’t met with their previous three top-30 visits, as they’ve become much more tight-lipped. They canceled the Bailey visit, but they at least had one. They didn’t even schedule one for Reese, so that might hint that he’s the pick. Regardless, defensive help is obviously needed everywhere on a stop unit ranked 29th in EPA. Bailey is now the pick here in this mock draft, but Reese is still a possibility.

David Bailey is a fast edge rusher with great potential. I can’t imagine slotting Bailey later than No. 4 in this mock draft. He could end up going No. 2 or 3.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Avell Reese, DE/OLB – The Jets canceled their top-30 visit with Bailey. Adam Schefter seemed to hint that this was a positive. If it wasn’t, Reese will be the pick.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

I’ve had the Cardinals trading down in my previous two mock draft updates. It sounds like they’re still desperate to trade down because they want a right tackle and it’s too early to take one. However, I’m becoming less optimistic that they’ll find a suitor for the No. 3 pick because Dallas reportedly doesn’t want to part with the 20th-overall selection.

If the Cardinals don’t trade down, most would expect them to draft the front-seven player the Jets don’t select between David Bailey and Arvell Reese. However, I would believe that the Cardinals prefer Jeremiyah Love instead. Arizona signed Tyler Allgeier, but he’s just a fancy backup. The Cardinals may view Love as the best player in this draft class.

Jeremiyah Love is a powerful, downhill runner with plus receiving ability.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. David Bailey, DE/OLB – The Cardinals may consider drafting Bailey instead of Love.

2. Trade Down – Arizona is desperate to move down. Francis Mauigoa seems like the target.

The Titans have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They need to find the best defensive player possible. Of course, there’s a huge difference between “need” and “want,” so we’ll see if the two align. If not, the Titans could end up drafting a player to bolster their rushing attack if Jeremiyah Love is available. For the first time since the draft order became official, he is not on the board for Tennessee’s pick in this mock draft.

Reese is a special player because of his incredible instincts and athleticism. He can rush the passer on the edge or play linebacker.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Sonny Styles, LB – The Titans could choose the front-seven player the Jets don’t take. Styles is considered to be an option as well.

2. Jeremiyah Love, RB – We were told earlier that the Titans were smitten with Love. However, this could be out-of-date news, and Love isn’t available in this mock draft anyway.

The more I think about it, the more this selection has to be about helping Jaxson Dart, whether it’s in the form of a receiver, offensive lineman, or even a running back. With Jeremiyah Love off the board in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Giants can use this pick on one of the other two areas.

Jordyn Tyson is a speedy, explosive receiver with quality size. Injuries are an issue, however. For more on why Tyson could be the pick, check out our NFL Draft Prop Bets page.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Jeremyiah Love, RB – The Giants are smitten with Love, so this seems like his floor.

2. Spencer Fano, OT/G – A guard for the present and a tackle once Jermaine Eluemunor retires or leaves the team.

Ty Simpson is not worthy of the sixth pick, so he will not be the choice in this mock draft. Ownership seems to like Shedeur Sanders, so they may want to give him one more year to prove himself. If so, the Browns could look to add the best player available, and that could be a prospect who would further enhance the pass rush. Then again, the Browns have done lots of work on receivers and left tackles. Jerry Jeudy has been a huge disappointment, so Cleveland needs a new No. 1 target for either Sanders or Deshaun Watson. Meanwhile, left tackle has been a big problem since Jedrick Wills regressed and was eventually released.

Spencer Fano was fantastic at Utah, but has short arms. He may move to guard or stay at left tackle.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Trade Down – There’s talk that the Browns want to trade down with the Cowboys, who would move up for Sonny Styles.

2. Carnell Tate, WR – If the Browns decide to go receiver then tackle, Carnell Tate would be the favorite to be the pick.

This pick may come down to Sonny Styles versus Carnell Tate if both are available. I’ve had Styles here in the past, but I think the Redskins front office believes that they have to use this selection to help Jayden Daniels. With only one viable receiver on the roster, Washington would be able to obtain a much-needed upgrade across from the aging Terry McLaurin.

Carnell Tate didn’t do much as a freshman, but the tall receiver had a breakout sophomore campaign.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Sonny Styles, LB – Styles would be a huge upgrade in the middle of the defense.

2. Caleb Downs, S – The Redskins have had issues in their secondary for a while. Downs could be viewed as the best player available.

Pick change; previously Sonny Styles, LB

The Saints have nothing at receiver outside of Chris Olave, and they can’t exactly count on Olave remaining healthy. Drafting a receiver at No. 8 is a very real possibility. If Carnell Tate is unavailable, however, and the Saints are uncomfortable with Jordyn Tyson’s health, however, perhaps New Orleans will find an upgrade for their defense, which is exactly what’s happening in this mock draft.

Caleb Downs projects as one of the top play-making safeties in the NFL in several years. Downs reportedly had a concern with his knee, but Charlie Campbell said that team sources didn’t share a concern with it.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Sonny Styles, LB – This seems like Styles’ floor, as the Saints would love for him to replace Demario Davis.

2. Carnell Tate/Makai Lemon/Jordyn Tyson, WRs – The top three receivers are all in play for the Saints, who don’t have much at wideout aside from Chris Olave.

The Chiefs need to address a lot. One thing is their poor receiver group. Rashee Rice may be suspended or imprisoned based on his latest off-the-field transgressions. Kansas City will have nothing at receiver if Rice is gone, save for Xavier Worthy, who regressed last year. The offensive line can also be addressed. Jawaan Taylor is gone, and so the Chiefs need a new right tackle and also some interior help. And then there’s the pass rush; Kansas City really struggled to get to the quarterback last year. This mock draft will have the Chiefs find help with the latter.

Rueben Bain was very productive as a freshman and has a ton of upside. There are suddenly off-the-field issues with Bain, but Andy Reid isn’t one to shy away from talented players who have done bad things outside of football.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Caleb Downs, S – This seems like Downs’ floor even though the Chiefs value positional value. This is not the type of draft class to worry about that though.

2. Carnell Tate/Makai Lemon/Jordyn Tyson, WRs – The top three receivers are all in play for the Chiefs, who have to be worried about Rashee Rice’s ability to stay out of trouble.

The Giants acquired this pick in the deal for Dexter Lawrence (go here for the NFL Trade Grades) so they could acquire one offensive player and one defensive player with their two top-10 picks. They’ve had issues at cornerback for a long time, so they could fix that with this pick.

Mansoor Delane is very instinctive with nice size.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Carnell Tate, WR – The Giants need another receiver to pair with Malik Nabers.

2. Francis Mauigoa/Kadyn Proctor, OTs – Some tackles the Giants can acquire if they don’t take one at No. 5.

The Dolphins have looked like the worst team in the NFL at times last year, and part of that is Tua Tagovailoa’s incompetence. Malik Willis was signed, so the Dolphins can now look elsewhere. Their receiver group is now barren with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both gone. Theo Wease Jr. is now their top wideout, which simply can’t be allowed. Receiver will be addressed in the first round of this mock draft, but not at No. 11. Instead, the Dolphins can address their dismal offensive line.

Kadyn Proctor is a colossal, 360-pound blocker. He has great potential, but has some character concerns.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Francis Mauigoa/Spencer Fano, OTs – Miami’s offensive line is in shambles. The top tackles will be considered.

2. Rueben Bain, DE – The Dolphins lost Jaelan Phillips, so he’ll need to be replaced.

I’ve had the Cowboys trading up for David Bailey or Arvell Reese in previous mock drafts. They could do that, or they could move up slightly lower for Sonny Styles. It doesn’t sound like they want to surrender the 20th pick, so if they trade up, it won’t be too far. If Styles makes it past the Redskins, the Cowboys could jump up to No. 8 or 9, and select Styles.

Sonny Styles is a versatile linebacker who plays well in coverage. This is the highest he’s ever been in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, but he had an amazing combine in which he broke records, and he’s now in the conversation to be the fifth-overall pick.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Keldric Faulk, DE – The Cowboys reportedly like Faulk and could select him at this spot to bolster their weak pass rush.

2. Mansoor Delane/Jermod McCoy, CBs – If the Cowboys stay put at No. 12, they could target one of the top cornerbacks.

Pick change; previously Keldric Faulk, DE/DT

The Rams have been in the mix to trade for A.J. Brown. It doesn’t sound like they’ll be able to do so, which means receiver is in play for the Rams at No. 13 overall.

Makai Lemon wins on contested catches even though he’s a bit shy of six feet. He interviewed very poorly at the combine with some very odd behavior, but he still has first-round talent.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Kenyon Sadiq, TE – The Rams could target Sadiq if they were turned off by Lemon’s combine interview.

2. Mansoor Delane/Jermod McCoy, CBs – Two cornerbacks were added in free agency, but teams love to double down on a position, so we could see that happen with the Rams to make sure a weakness is truly turned into a strength.

Pick change; previously Carnell Tate, WR

The Raiders appeared to acquire this pick for Maxx Crosby, but the trade was rescinded. They can now address their receiver group, which is rather lackluster outside of Zay Flowers. “Receiver group” can also include tight end, which saw Isaiah Likely depart. Mark Andrews remains, but he’s declined in recent years.

Kenyon Sadiq has upside as an athletic tight end.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Vega Ioane, G – The Ravens need interior line help, as they may remember that the best team they had in the Lamar Jackson era had Marshal Yanda on the blocking unit.

2. Makai Lemon/Jordyn Tyson, WRs – Receiver is a need, given that the Ravens don’t have much at the position outside of Zay Flowers.

The Buccaneers really need to improve their pass rush if they don’t want to be shredded by Michael Penix Jr. and Tyler Shough. They may end up reaching for an edge rusher to fix their big need.

Akheem Mesidor is a physical edge setter and a consistent pass rusher. There’s concern that he was able to benefit from Rueben Bain’s presence.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Keldric Faulk, DE – The Buccaneers could draft the best edge rusher on the board.

2. Kenyon Sadiq, TE – Tampa Bay has been linked to Kenyon Sadiq. Cade Otton was just re-signed, but we’ve seen teams draft first-round tight ends after paying their incumbent tight end lots of money (Bills with Dalton Kincaid after paying Dawson Knox.)

Pick change; previously Vega Ioane, G

This new pick for the Jets could be anything. It could even be Sauce Gardner. Receiver is a logical approach as well, but guard can’t be discounted. This would be three consecutive first-round linemen for the Jets, but the interior blocking is poor and must be addressed.

Vega Ioane is an explosive guard with a nasty streak.

*** OTHER 2026 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Makai Lemon, WR – Unless the Jets were turned off by Lemon’s combine interview, they’ll be interested in taking him at No. 16.

2. Jermod McCoy, CB – The Jets may draft the top cornerback on the board if they are OK with the knee.

Pick change; previously Makai Lemon, WR